Practice Abstract

Testing ZP maize genotypes growing in different agro-ecological conditions using barley as a cover crop

PRACTICE ABSTRACT No. 1

Two trials were set in the spring of 2024 on three locations across Serbia under organic and conventional production. Locations are as follows: Zemun Polje, Pančevo, and Ruma.

Barley as a cover crop is very important because it provides conditions which are unfavorable for pests, diseases, and weed during the vegetation period.

Problems

In maize, whether sown in organic or conventional production system, as a row crop weeds are the most yield-reducing agent, which can emerge before crop establishment or during crop emergence. It is of particular importance to manage weeds, until the rows are established and there are no available spaces for weeds.

Solutions

Growing cover crops as an agro-ecological measure provides ideal conditions for further maize development. For spring crops, such as maize is, cover crops are usually planted in the summer of the previous year and terminated just before maize sowing. In doing so, the life cycle of weeds is pretty disrupted, and therefore significantly lower weed infestation occurs. In the case of weed suppressing, cover crops that quickly cover land are very helpful. Species from the Poaceae family are a good option: barley, rue, and oats. According to our previous research, barley was the best solution as cover crops for maize, therefore was chosen for growing in our trials.

Current Research

CREDIT Vibes project currently operates two experiments growing maize in different agro-ecological conditions. The core objective of research is to evaluate the biochemical properties of different genotypes grown at three different sites and to test their potential as a healthy food. The first experiment evaluates 9 genotypes: new and traditional ones, while the second one tests four genotypes which have either red, yellow, or white kernel.

Authors:

Milan Brankov (mbrankov@mrizp.rs): Maize Research Institute „Zemun Polje“, Belgrade, Serbia.

CREDIT Vibes Consortium

Soybean Breeding

PRACTICE ABSTRACT No. 2

Problem:
Soybean producers face increasing challenges related to climate variability, emerging pests and diseases, and the need to improve the nutritional quality of soybean-based products. Traditional breeding alone is too slow to deliver varieties that meet these evolving demands.

Solution:
The project applies an integrated breeding approach combining conventional selection, field phenotyping, and advanced genomic tools such as marker-assisted selection and genomic prediction. This accelerates the identification of traits related to yield, stress tolerance, and quality.

Main Results:
Improved breeding pipelines enable faster development of soybean lines with enhanced resilience to drought and pathogens, as well as increased protein and oil content. The integration of genomic data supports more accurate and efficient selection decisions.

Practical Implications for Farmers / Stakeholders:
New soybean cultivars generated through this approach contribute to more stable yields under variable conditions, reduced need for chemical inputs, and improved product quality. These advancements support sustainable production systems and help farmers remain competitive in changing market and climate environments.

Pest Risk Management in Maize Fields

PRACTICE ABSTRACT No. 3

Problem:
Maize production is increasingly threatened by pests such as the European corn borer, Western corn rootworm, and various fungal pathogens. Their presence leads to significant yield losses, higher production costs, and greater reliance on chemical plant protection products. Climate change is further altering pest distribution and intensity, increasing pressure on maize farmers.

Solution:
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies offer a sustainable approach to controlling key maize pests. The practice combines regular field monitoring, use of predictive pest-risk models, adoption of resistant or tolerant hybrids, crop rotation, biological control agents, and targeted application of pesticides only when economic thresholds are exceeded.

Main Results:
Implementation of IPM reduces unnecessary chemical inputs, lowers production costs, and helps maintain ecological balance in maize-based systems. Resistant hybrids and biological control measures demonstrate strong potential for reducing pest damage, especially when paired with timely field scouting and data-driven decision-making.

Practical Implications for Farmers / Stakeholders:
Farmers benefit from improved crop health, more stable yields, and reduced environmental impact. IPM supports long-term soil and ecosystem sustainability while lowering risk from pesticide resistance.

Drone-Assisted Biological Control of the European Corn Borer

PRACTICE ABSTRACT No. 4

Problem:
The European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) is one of the most destructive pests in maize production, causing significant yield losses and increasing farmers’ dependence on chemical pesticides. Conventional control strategies are costly, environmentally demanding, and often ineffective when pest populations are widespread.

Solution:
A sustainable biological control strategy has been introduced in Serbia, combining the use of Trichogramma parasitoid wasps with drone-based deployment. Trichogramma wasps parasitize corn borer eggs, preventing larval damage before it occurs. Drones distribute capsules containing the wasps rapidly and uniformly across fields, improving coverage and reducing labour demands.

Main Results:
Drone-assisted release of Trichogramma significantly improves application efficiency and ensures timely pest suppression. Preliminary results show reduced pest pressure, lower crop damage, and successful replacement of chemical insecticides with a biological alternative.

Practical Implications for Farmers / Stakeholders:
Farmers gain an environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and highly scalable method to protect maize fields. The approach reduces chemical inputs, supports biodiversity, and aligns with EU sustainability goals. Drone deployment allows large areas to be treated quickly, making biological control feasible even in intensive maize production systems.

Integrated Pathogen Control Against Fusarium spp. in Maize Production

PRACTICE ABSTRACT No. 5

Problem:
Fusarium spp. infections in maize can cause significant yield losses, ear rot, and mycotoxin contamination, posing risks to food and feed safety. The disease is influenced by hybrid susceptibility, soil conditions, pest pressure, and weather patterns, making control difficult if only one measure is applied.

Solution:
An integrated pathogen control strategy is recommended, combining resistant hybrids, fungicide seed treatments, and effective management of insect pests such as rootworms that facilitate fungal entry. Improving soil drainage and maintaining good field sanitation further reduce disease pressure. Biological control agents, particularly Trichoderma strains, offer a sustainable alternative for suppressing Fusarium development. Chemical fungicides may be used strategically, especially as early, preventive applications.

Main Results:
Farmers implementing this integrated approach achieve lower incidence of Fusarium ear and root infections, reduced mycotoxin risk, and improved crop health. Biological agents complement conventional methods and show promise for decreasing reliance on chemical fungicides.

Practical Implications for Farmers / Stakeholders:
A coordinated management strategy improves maize yield stability and grain safety while supporting long-term soil and ecosystem health. The integration of resistant hybrids, sanitation measures, targeted pest control, and biological treatments represents a good practice for managing Fusarium risks in maize production.

About CREDIT Vibes

CREDIT Vibes is a 3-year (2023-2025) project funded by Programme Horizon Twinning Western Balkans Special TWINNING GREEN-EDITING VIBES FOR FϴϴD.

CREDIT Vibes presents a cloud of Creativity, Research, Education, Development, Innovation, and Transformation (CREDIT) where the training of the highly-skilled researchers and non-research staff is the priority.

CREDIT Vibes launches healthy food/feed, a healthy eco-friendly environment, and a healthy life on a healthy planet.

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